Statutes Amendment (Parliament - Executive Officer and Clerks) Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 26 September 2024.)

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (16:35): I rise today to indicate the opposition's support for the Statutes Amendment (Parliament—Executive Officer and Clerks) Bill 2024. This bill seeks to introduce administrative changes to the Parliament (Joint Services) Act 1985 and the Remuneration Act 1990, aiming to enhance the internal management of our parliamentary services.

The primary feature of this bill is establishing an executive officer position for the Joint Parliamentary Service. This new role will carry responsibility for the overall management and coordination of our parliamentary services, reporting directly to the committee. The addition of an executive officer clarifies leadership within the parliamentary service, centralising oversight and aligning this management role with the broader standards of the Public Service Code of Conduct. The role is intended to support efficient administration and ensure consistency in operations, especially as our parliamentary service evolves to meet current and future needs.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to streamline remuneration practices. Under clause 9, the remuneration of clerks in both the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly will now fall under the purview of the independent Remuneration Tribunal. By assigning responsibility to the tribunal, the bill aims to establish a transparent and consistent approach to setting remuneration for these roles, reflecting the professional standards of other Public Service positions.

We recognise that these are primarily procedural changes designed to support and improve the internal workings of the parliamentary service. Though the measures are principally administrative, they serve to modernise some of the fundamental operational structures, clarify leadership roles and align the remuneration process with independent oversight. These adjustments may seem minor, but they represent a constructive step towards ensuring that our parliamentary services remain well-organised and capable of supporting the legislative process effectively.

The opposition supports the bill as a measure to enhance the efficiency and transparency of our parliamentary operations. This is a positive move to strengthen the underlying frameworks that keep our parliament functioning smoothly and professionally.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (16:37): I rise to say that I will be supporting the bill.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (16:38): I rise in support of the bill, and I wish to make a very brief contribution to this debate. This bill amends the Parliament (Joint Services) Act 1985 in order to significantly reform the management structure of the Joint Parliamentary Service. The bill establishes the office of the executive officer of the Joint Parliamentary Service.

The proposed executive officer will be responsible to the Joint Parliamentary Service Committee for the efficient management of the Joint Parliamentary Service. The executive officer will be the chief officer in relation to the Joint Services Division of the Joint Parliamentary Service and must report to the committee on any aspect of the management or operation of the Joint Parliamentary Service. The executive officer will provide those secretarial services to the Joint Parliamentary Service Committee that are currently provided by the clerks of the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly—very ably, as they do.

The executive officer will sit on the advisory committee, which is responsible for making recommendations to the Joint Parliamentary Service Committee, the President of the Legislative Council or the Speaker of the House of Assembly in relation to the management and working conditions of the staff of the parliament. The chief officers of each division of the Joint Parliamentary Service will report to the newly established executive officer in relation to the efficient management of their respective divisions.

The establishment of this new office will modernise and centralise the executive and organisational operation of the Parliament of South Australia. It is appropriate that a dedicated executive officer be the central person with a responsibility of a range of functions currently divided between various other officers. It offers an opportunity for improved regulation of the conditions of service for those officers who serve both houses of parliament.

In relation to the proposed amendments to the Remuneration Act 1990, I am pleased to support a bill which will increase transparency and oversight by conferring jurisdiction on the Remuneration Tribunal to determine the remuneration of the clerks and deputy clerks of the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly, just as it does for judges and members of parliament. I commend the bill to the house.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. L.A. Henderson.